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Our City’s Council Chamber now
has been upgraded to compact fluorescent light
bulbs that reduce our average energy consumption
for the five chandeliers by more than 75%.
Costs
CFLs are not as cheap as ordinary light bulbs.
However, due to rebate programs, you can buy the
CFLs at reduced costs. (Many local shops sell
energy star rated CFLs at a rebate costs,
courtesy of PG&E and the California Public
Utilities Commission).
Check out:
www.flexyourpower.org/ or
www.pge.com/myhome/saveenergymoney/rebates/light/products/
In our example our cost benefit
analysis went like this:
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Estimated Usage of
Council Chamber: 24
hours per week using the lights |
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Energy cost per year
for standard light bulbs: |
|
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52 weeks |
* 24 hours * 2,250
kWh *$.17 |
=
$ 477 |
|
Energy costs after
installation of CFLs: |
|
|
52 weeks |
* 24 hours * 510 kWh
*.17 |
=
$ 108 |
|
Or:
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annual cost savings
of $369 in energy costs |
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Costs to purchase
CFLs: |
|
| |
$9.98 minus $2.00
rebate times 90 CFLs |
=
$718.20 |
The installation took two
electricians about 60 minutes to complete. The
amortization of the upgrade will be achieved in
less than 2 years assuming a constant
energy price of $.17 per kWh.
(Note:
In 2005 we replaced the exit signs with LED
signage and reduced energy costs from around $28
per exit sign to $4 per exit signs annually.)
CFLs reduce maintenance costs
The CFL will last between 7 – 9
years depending on the actual usage. That means
that our electricians do not have to replace
light bulbs as often as they do today. Result:
other services than light bulb exchanges can be
performed. Likewise: the cost avoidance in
maintenance will decrease the amortization
period.
Want to learn more about CFL
and their possible impact on global warming?
This article,
”How
Many Lightbulbs Does it Take to Change the
World? One. And You're Looking At It.”
,
is a great start to make your home, office, work
place greener.
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